Continuous flow liquid distributing system

ABSTRACT

Continuous flow liquid distributing systems are disclosed in which a turntable has a concentric series of abutting funnels for controlling delivery to subjacent containers with liquid continuously delivered thereto from a pump controlled source. The operation of the turntable drive, of the pump, or of both is variable and where there are two or more series of funnels, means are provided to shift the delivery nozzle from a position over the last funnel of one series to the first funnel of another series.

United States Patent Inventors Samuel Nejame, Jr.

Medfield; George C. Kondel, Jamaica Plain; Italo J. De Santis, Milford, all of, Mass. Appl. No. 752,976 Filed Aug. 15, 1968 Patented May 25, I971 Assignee Damon Corporation Needham Heights, Mass.

CONTINUOUS FLOW LIQUID DISTRIBUTING SYSTEM [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,030,541 2/1936 Rose l41/l3lX 2,493,382 l/l950 Bell 141/131X Primary Examiner-Houston S. Bell, Jr. AttorneyAbbott Spear ABSTRACT: Continuous flow liquid distributing systems are 18 Claims 9 Drawing Figs disclosed in which a turntable has a concentric series of US. Cl 141/131, abutting funnels for controlling delivery to subjacent con- 23/252 tainers with liquid continuously delivered thereto from a Int. Cl B65b 43/60, pump cont o ed source. The operation of the turntable dri e, B67c 3/00 of the pump, or of both is variable and where there are two or Field of Search 141/131, more series of funnels, means are provided to shift the delivery 132, I33, 134, 130, (Inquired); 23/252, 253, 259, nozzle from a position over the last funnel of one series to the (Inquired) first funnel of another series.

2 f I E0 y E" El /6- I: 13 f4 I 1 Iii t L n n R 7 Patented May 25, 1 971 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 3M haim I my. Wi

Patented May 25, 1971 3,580,301

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May 25, 1971 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 CONTINUOUS FLOW LIQUID DISTRIBUTING SYSTEM The present invention relates to continuous flow, liquid distributing systems, particularly for use where small volumes are to be collected accurately, rapidly, and without waste.

As an example of systems in accordance with the invention, particular reference is made to the necessity of collecting gradients, following the centrifugation of a liquid, in accurately controlled small volumes for analytical purposes. Such collecting systems, at the present time, are intermittent and are unsatisfactory due to the fact that they can be used only where low flow rates and some liquid loss can be tolerated. In the case of swinging bucket centrifugation and column chromatography, for example, flow rates are in the range of to 30 milliliters per minute, for example. By way of contrast, zonal and continuous flow centrifugation provide, at the present time, flow rates in the range of0-80 milliliters or better. With the first indicated range, collections would not usually exceed milliliters per tube while the present invention enables collections to be made on the basis of 30 or 40 milliliters per tube without the loss of a single drop. At the same time, with zonal and continuous flow centrifugation, substantially greater run volumes are involved. In addition, a continuous flow system ensures better analysis without problems such as are encountered in intermittent systems of which back pressure and reference point losses as well as those inherent in sophisticated control of the delivery system are examples.

The general objective of the present invention is to provide collecting systems that are free of the above generally indicated objectionable features, an objective attained with a system having a turntable provided with at least one concentric series of funnels for the delivery of liquid into subjacent containers, one container under each funnel and the funnels abutting to provide common crests. Each system includes a pump for control of the liquid source with a delivery conduit including a nozzle disposed to discharge liquid into the funnels as the turntable turns. The distance between the funnel crests is uniform so that the liquid receiving time interval for the funnels of a series is uniform and the volume of the liquid delivered to the funnels remains constant as long as both the turntable speed and the pump operation remains constant.

An important objective of the invention is to ensure that such a system is capable of meeting a wide range of collecting requirements, an objective realized by providing that the turntable drive is variable, that the operation of the delivery pump set point is variable, and preferably that both the drive and pump are variable.

Another important objective is to provide the turntable with two or more concentric series of abutting funnels with the distance between the crests of each series being uniform and radially aligned with the corresponding crests of any other series ensuring the same liquid receiving time interval for all the funnels regardless of radial differences between the series.

Yet another objective of the invention is to provide, where the turntable is provided with a plurality of concentric series of abutting funnels, means to shift the delivery nozzle from a position over the last funnel of one series to the first funnel of another series without waste and without interference with the accuracy of the collection at such last or first funnels.

In the accompanying drawings, there are shown embodiments of the invention illustrative of these and other of its objectives, novel features, and advantages.

In the drawings:

FIG. I is a fragmentary vertical section through the drawer section of apparatus in accordance with the invention showing schematically the fluid delivery system and the control of the turntable drive;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a ring having two concentric series of funnels operatively positioned relative to the nozzle support as it would be with the drawer in its open position;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the ring and turntable on an increased scale;

FIG. 4 is a section, on the scale of FIG. 3, but taken along the indicated lines 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a section taken approximately along the indicated lines 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view, on an increased scale, of the nozzle-shifting block;

FIG. 7 is a section through the shifting block taken along the indicated lines 7-7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary plan view of another embodiment of the invention showing a tray and a ring for use when three concentric series of containers are to be used, and a nozzle shifter and shifting block for use therewith; and

FIG. 9 is a section taken approximately along the indicated lines 9-9 of FIG. 8.

In FIG. I, cabinet structure is generally indicated at 10 and is shown as having a drawer 11 adapted to be moved from its closed position, shown in full lines in FIG. 1 into an open position illustrated by FIG. 2.

The drawer 11 has an inturned marginal flange 12 supporting an annular trough 13 through which a liquid coolant may be circulated. Centrally of the drawer, there is a motor 14 driving a turntable 15 through a gear box I6, the direction of the turntable rotation being counterclockwise. The motor circuit I7 is shown as having a control 18 by which the speed of the turntable may be varied.

The turntable 15 includes a removable tube rack, generally indicated at 19 and shown as comprising a circular disc 20 with a marginal portion overhanging the trough 13 and includes depending supports 21 for an annular member 22 dimensioned to fit within the trough 13 when the rack is centered on and supported by the turntable 15. The overhang of the disc 20 and the member 22 have vertically aligned holes 20A and 22A, respectively, arranged in two concentric series with corresponding holes of the two series radially aligned. The holes 20A are dimensioned to receive the tubular containers 23 while the holes 22A are dimensioned to center their closed ends. By these. or like means, containers 23 are supported, open end up, in concentric series with each container of each series being spaced the same distance apart and with corresponding containers of both series radially aligned.

In accordance with the invention, the turntable also includes a ring 24 shown as provided with concentric channels 25 each having a series of generally indicated, abutting funnels 26 of circular cross section, one funnel 26 for each container 23 and including planar end walls inclined upwardly towards the proximate funnels 26 to provide intermediate crests 27. The funnels and crests of each series are uniformly spaced and radially aligned with the corresponding funnels and crests, respectively, of the other series. Each funnel includes a depending, inwardly and downwardly tapering portion 28 dimensioned for entry into the open end of a container 23 to enable the ring to be supported removably thereby to enable the rack I9 to be separately removed and the containers quickly and easily removed and replaced.

The liquid supply system includes a motor driven pump 29 from a suitable source with the pump motor circuit 30 including an operator control 31 enabling its operation to be varied. The pump 29 may be and desirably is a gradient forming pump of the type disclosed in the pending application of Samuel Nejame, Jr., Ser. No. 666,709, filed Sept. II, 1967. The delivery conduit 32 from the pump 29 includes a tubular nozzle 33 held by one end of a telescopic arm 34 whose other end is pivotally attached to the front of the cabinet 10 above the drawer II and on the right-hand side thereof, as will be apparent from FIG. 2. The nozzle 33 extends vertically downwardly through a nozzle shifter, generally indicated at 35 and operable to shift the nozzle from a position over one ring channel into a position over the other ring channel.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that with the turntable drive and the pump in operation liquid will be continuously discharged through the nozzle 33 into whichever ring channel 25 the nozzle is then above. It will also be apparent that the amount of liquid delivered into each funnel 26 of a series and hence into the containers 23 for that series is dependent on the delivered volume as determined by the operation of the pump 29 and on the rate at which the turntable is turning. As long as these factors remain constant, the delivery remains continuous and constant with each crest 27 ensuring equal division of the liquid among the funnels, even to the division of drops. A change in the delivery rate of the pumps 29 affects the delivered volume while the rate of rotation of the turntable affects the collected volume, both factors being established before a collection is made.

In order that the nozzle 33 may be positioned first over one ring channel and then over the other, the shifter 35 is shown as consisting of upper and lower plates 36 interconnected by spacers 37. The plates 36 have vertically aligned slots through which the noule 33 extends, each slot including a transfer portion 38 having an elongated pocket 39 extending lengthwise relative to the centerline of the outer ring channel 25 in a clockwise direction, and a pocket 40 at the other end of the transfer portion 38 and extending in a direction opposite to the pocket 39. A spring 41 is anchored at one end to one of the plates 36 and at its other end to the nozzle 33 to yieldably maintain the nozzle at the closed end of the pocket 39 and to pull the nozzle 33 to the other end of the transfer slot 38 if and when the nozzle 33 is dislodged from the pocket 39. Details of the shifter 35 may be seen in H0. 9 that are not apparent from FIG. 2 as the shifter 65 shown therein is the same except that it is for use with a three channel ring.

The ring 24 has a nozzle actuating block 42 set in a channel extending transversely through the rims defined by its channels 25. The block 42 has a diagonal channel 43 effecting communication between a nozzle seat 44 located centrally of the outer ring channel 25 in the leading edge of the block 42 and opening centrally through its trailing edge over the centerline of the inner channel 25 and inclined downwardly towards that end as will be apparent from FIG. 7. The block 42 sits close to the crests 27 and the depth of the diagonal channel 43 is desirably such that the discharge end of the nozzle 33 may be spaced about 0.125 of an inch from the crests 27 and clear the bottom of the channel 43. The block 42 also has a vertical channel 45 in its trailing edge defining the position of the nozzle 33 at the start of a run and it will be noted that it opens directly over the crest 27 between the funnel 26 whose trailing end is covered by the block 42 and the funnel exposed on the trailing side thereof. The channel 43 opens downwardly over the funnel 26 of the inner ring 25 at the trailing side of the block 42. In addition, the block 42 has a vertical channel 46 in its leading edge over the centerline of the inner ring channel providing a seat engageable by the nozzle 33 at the end of the run, the channel 46 exposing a part of the trailing end wall of the underlying inner ring funnel.

As the turntable turns with the nozzle 33 over the outer series of funnels 26, the seat 44 engages the nozzle 33 when the nozzle is over the last funnel of that series and as the turntable continues to turn, the nozzle is forced out of its pocket 39 and into the transfer portion of the slot, the spring 41l then pulling it to the other end of the transfer slot portion 38. It will be noted that the length of the pocket 39 is equal to one-half the distance between the crests of the funnel 26 of,

the outer series that is partly covered by the block 42 thereby to ensure full delivery before the nozzle 33 is transferred to its position above the first funnel of the inner channel.

When the turntable 15 has turned to the appropriate extent to bring the nozzle 33 over the last funnel of the inner series, the seat 46 engages the nozzle 33 and forces it into the pocket 40 at the inner end of the slot in the nozzle shifter 35 which is not only of sufficient extent to ensure full delivery into the funnel 26 of the inner series that is partly covered by the block 42 but also permits the nozzle 33 to actuate the microswitch 47 which controls both the pump and motor circuits.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated by FIGS. 8 and 9, a rack, ring, and nozzle shifter are shown for use where a substantially larger number of smaller containers 48 are to have predetermined amounts of liquid delivered thereto, utilizing the same turntable, trough, and liquid delivering system.

The removable rack 49 includes a disc 50 dimensioned so that its margin overhangs the trough l3 and having supports 5] for an annular member 52 which, like the member 22, is

dimensioned to fit within the trough 113 when the rack 49 is centered on the turntable 15. The overhang of the disc 50 and the member 52 have vertically aligned holes 50A and 52A, respectively, arranged in three concentric series with corresponding holes of the three series aligned. The holes 50A are dimensioned to receive the containers 48 and the holes 52A are dimensioned to center and support the bottom ends thereof, the holes of each series being equally spaced.

The ring 53 differs from the ring 24 in that it has three concentric channels 54 instead of two, each containing a series of abutting funnels 55 which, except for being somewhat smaller, are shown as identical to the funnels 26. The funnels 55, accordingly, have planar end walls inclined to provide intermediate crests 56, the funnels and crests of each series being uniformly spaced and radially aligned with corresponding funnels and crests of the other two series. Each funnel 55 also includes a depending portion 57 downwardly and inwardly tapered for entry in and support by the mouths of the containers 48.

The ring 53 also has a nozzle actuating block 58 having along its leading edge, vertical channels providing nozzle seats 59, 60, and 61 each centered with respect to the centerline of an appropriate one of the ring channels 54. A diagonal channel 62 leads from the nozzle seat 59 and opens through the trailing edge of the block 58 over the centerline of the intermediate channel 54 and a like diagonal channel 63 extends from the nozzle seat and opens through the trailing edge of the block 58 over the centerline of the inner channel 54. The seat 61 has the same function as the seat 46 of the block 42. In addition, the block 58 has a vertical channel 64 in its trailing edge overlying the centerline of the outer channel 54 establishing the position of the nozzle 33 at the start of a run.

The shifter 65 is identical to the shifter 35 except for its upper and lower plates 66 and 67, respectively, and these differ only in the vertically aligned slots for the nozzle 33.

The centerline of the shifter 65 include a first transfer portion 68 having an elongated pocket 69 at its outer end extending in a trailing direction over the centerline of the outer ring channel and having the same function as the pocket 39 of the nozzle shifter 35. The slots also include a second transfer portion 70 with its outer end overlapping in a leading direction, the inner end of the transfer portion 68 with a connecting slot 71 extending along the centerline of the intermediate channel. At the rear end of the second transfer portion 70 there is a pocket 72 extending in a leading direction over the centerline of the inner channel with its function being identical to that of the pocket 40 of the shifter 35.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that systems in accordance with the invention and requiring container delivery of the liquid to be collected combine both volumetric capacity, accuracy without liquid loss, and adaptability to a wide range of collection requirements without limitation as to the available volume at the pump controlled source.

We claim:

1. A continuous flow liquid distributor comprising a turntable including at least two concentric series of funnels, and a delivery pump including a delivery conduit with its discharge end disposed to deliver liquid into the funnels as the turntable turns, the funnels of each series abutting and providing intermediate crests that are spaced the same distance apart thereby to ensure that each funnel receives the same volume of liquid when the pump is continuously operated to deliver a constant volume and the turntable is turned at a constant rate, the crests of each series being radially aligned with corresponding crests of any other series to ensure the same liquid receiving the time interval for every series with a constant rate of turntable rotation, and means to shift the discharge end of the delivery conduit from a discharging position appropriate for the last funnel of one series to a discharging position appropriate for the first funnel of another series and means providing that said last and first funnels receive liquid for the same time interval as the other funnels thereby to ensure equal liquid delivery to all funnels of both series.

2. The distributor of claim 1 and a drive for the turntable, the turntable drive including a control adjustable to vary the turntable speed.

3. The distributor of claim I in which the delivery pump includes a control adjustable to vary the volume of liquid it delivers.

4. The distributor of claim 1 in which there is a turntable drive including a control adjustable to vary the turntable speed and the delivery pump includes a control adjustable to vary the volume of liquid that it delivers.

5. The distributor of claim 1 in which the shifting means includes a funnel between said last and first funnels of the two series and providing an intermediate crest.

6. The distributor of claim 1 in which the funnels are in a ring and the turntable also includes a removable rack including means to support containers, each in a vertical funnel engaging position whereby the ring is removably supported by the container.

7. The distributor of claim 6 in which there is an annular trough surrounding the turntable in which the container supporting means of the rack are located.

8. In a continuous flow liquid distributor, a turntable member including at least two concentric series of funnels, the funnels of each series abutting and providing intermediate crests that are spaced the same distance apart and in radial alignment with corresponding crests of any other series, a liquid delivery nozzle above one series of funnels, and shifting means for the nozzle operated by the turntable member when the nozzle has reached the last funnel of one series to transfer the delivery member into a position above the first funnel of another series, and a funnel arrangement between said last and first funnels under the path of the nozzle as it shifts providing that said last and first funnels receive liquid for the same time interval as the other funnels thereby to ensure equal liquid delivery to all funnels of both series.

' cluding a channel extending from the last funnel of one series to the first funnel of another series, a shifter having a nozzle receiving slot through which the nozzle depends to be engaged by the block, said slot having a transfer portion coextensive in length with the channel and having a pocket at one end extending towards the leading edge of the block and over the path of the funnels of one series, the nozzle being normally seated in the pocket, the other end of the transfer portion overlying the path of another funnel series whereby engagement of the block with the nozzle forces the nozzle from the pocket into the transfer portion, and spring means biasing said nozzle towards said other end of the transfer portion and operable when the nozzle has been dislodged from the pocket and the transfer portion is above the nozzle receiving channel of the block.

10. The liquid distributor of claim 9 in which the channel of the member slopes throughout its length towards one series of funnels.

11. The liquid distributor of claim 9 in which the pocket in the slot of the shifter is of such extent that the nozzle seats in said pocket while centrally of the last funnel of one series and remains in that position during movement of the nozzle with the shifting block sufficiently for a distance equal to the remainder of the distance between funnel crests.

12. The liquid distributor of claim 8 in which the shifting block includes a pocket disposed to receive the nozzle when over the last funnel of the last-named series of funnels and dimensioned to provide movement of the nozzle with the shifting block for a distance equal to the remainder of the distance between the crests of said funnel.

13. The liquid distributor of claim 12 and a control switch exposed in the pocket receiving the nozzle when over the lastnamed funnel of the last series, said control switch being normally closed and opened by the nozzle as it enters said lastnamed pocket.

14. The liquid distributor ofclaim 8 in which there are three series of funnels, the shifting means includes a shifting block extending from the outer to the inner series of funnels and partly over the last funnels of the three series, the block includes a first channel extending from the last funnel of one series to the first channel of the intermediate series and a second channel extending from the last channel of the intermediate series to the first channel of the third series, the shifter has a slot through which the nozzle depends to be engaged by the block, the slot having first and second transfer portions each coextensive in length with the channels and a pocket at one end extending towards the leading edge of the block and over the path of the funnels of one series, the nozzle having its first position in the pocket, the other end of the first transfer portion and one end of the second transfer portion overlying the intermediate series of funnels, the slot having a channel interconnecting said ends that overlie the intermediate series, and the second transfer portion having its other end over the third series of funnels, and spring means bearing the nozzle towards said third series and operable whenever the nozzle is engaged and moved by the block.

15. Container support for a liquid distributor having a turntable, said support comprising a rack provided with receivers for open mouth containers and arranged in concentric series with the receivers of each series uniformly spaced apart, and a ring including abutting funnels arranged in concentric series, one series of funnels for each series of receivers and including a funnel to overlie each receiver thereof with a funnel portion depending for entry into the mouth of a container positioned therein to be supported thereby, said funnels abutting to define intermediate crests.

16. A ring for a continuous flow liquid distributor of the type having a turntable provided with means to support open mouth containers in concentric series with the container of each series uniformly spaced apart, said distributor also having a nozzle movable from a position over the path of containers in one series of receivers into a position over eontainers in another series of receivers, said ring including funnels arranged in concentric series and including a funnel to overlie each container, said funnels abutting and providing intermediate crests, one funnel of each series being a crest common to the other series, the other crest of each series being common thereto whereby in use, said crests provide equal liquid delivery through the funnels of each series and between the funnels having the common crest when the nozzle is moved between said positions.

17. A ring for a continuous flow liquid distributor of the type having a turntable provided with means to support open mouth containers in a pair of concentric series with the containers of each series uniformly spaced apart, said distributor also having a nozzle movable from a position over the path of containers in one series containers into a position over containers in another series containers, said ring including funnels arranged in concentric series, one series of funnels for each series of containers and including a funnel to overlie each container, said funnels abutting and providing intermediate crests, the corresponding crests of the series being radially aligned, and a member extending across from the outer to the inner se ries of funnels and including a channel for the nozzle extending from the last funnel of one series to the first funnel of another series and provided with a crest, said member partly covering said last and first funnels whereby, in use, said crests provide equal liquid delivery through the funnels of each series and between the said last and first funnels when the nozzle is moved between said positions.

18. The ring of claim l7 in which there is a third concentric series of funnels and the member has a second channel parallel with the first channel with one end opening over the first funnel of the third series and its other end overlying the intermediate channel of the leading side of the first-named channel, and a channel interconnecting the overlapping channel ends and extending above the intermediate series of funnels. 

1. A continuous flow liquid distributor comprising a turntable including at least two concentric series of funnels, and a delivery pump including a delivery conduit with its discharge end disposed to deliver liquid into the funnels as the turntable turns, the funnels of each series abutting and providing intermediate crests that are spaced the same distance apart thereby to ensure that each funnel receives the same volume of liquid when the pump is continuously operated to deliver a constant volume and the turntable is turned at a constant rate, the crests of each series being radially aligned with corresponding crests of any other series to ensure the same liquid receiving the time interval for every series with a constant rate of turntable rotation, and means to shift the discharge end of the delivery conduit from a discharging position appropriate for the last funnel of one series to a discharging position appropriate for the first funnel of another series and means providing that said last and first funnels receive liquid for the same time interval as the other funnels thereby to ensure equal liquid delivery to all funnels of both series.
 2. The distributor of claim 1 and a drive for the turntable, the turntable drive including a control adjustable to vary the turntable speed.
 3. The distributor of claim 1 in which the delivery pump includes a control adjustable to vary the volume of liquid it delivers.
 4. The distributor of claim 1 in which there is a turntable drive including a control adjustable to vary the turntable speed and the delivery pump includes a control adjustable to vary the volume of liquid that it delivers.
 5. The distributor of claim 1 in which the shifting means includes a funnel between said last and first funnels of the two series and providing an intermediate crest.
 6. The distributor of claim 1 in which the funnels are in a ring and the turntable also includes a removable rack including means to support containers, each in a vertical funnel engaging position whereby the ring is removably supported by the container.
 7. The distributor of claim 6 in which there is an annular trough surrounding the turntable in which the container supporting means of the rack are located.
 8. In a continuous flow liquid distributor, a turntable member including at least two concentric series of funnels, the funnels of each series abutting and providing intermediate crests that are spaced the same distance apart and in radial alignment with corresponding crests of any other series, a liquid delivery nozzle above one series of funnels, and shifting means for the nozzle operated by the turntable member when the nozzle has reached the last funnel of one series to transfer the delivery member into a position above the first funnel of another series, and a funnel arrangement between said last and first funnels under the path of the nozzle as it shifts providing that said last and first funnels receive liquid for the same time interval as the other funnels thereby to ensure equal liquid delivery to all funnels of both series.
 9. The distributor of claim 8 in which the shifting means includes a shifting block extending from the outer to the inner and partly over the last funnel of each series of funnels and including a channel extending from the last funnel of one series to the first funnel of another series, a shifter having a nozzle receiving slot through which the nozzle depends to be engaged by the block, said slot having a transfer portion coextensive in length with the channel and having a pocket at one end extending towards the leading edge of the block and over the path of the funnels of one series, the nozzle being normally seated in the pocket, the other end of the transfer portion overlying the path of another funnel series whereby engagement of the block with the nozzle forces the nozzle from the pocket into the transfer portion, and spring means biasing said nozzle towards said other end of the transfer portion and operable when the nozzle has been dislodged from the pocket and the transfer portion is above the nozzle receiving channel of the block.
 10. The liquid distributor of claim 9 in which the channel of the member slopes throughout its length towards one series of funnels.
 11. The liquid distributor of claim 9 in which the pocket in the slot of the shifter is of such extent that the nozzle seats in said pocket while centrally of the last funnel of one series and remains in that position during movement of the nozzle with the shifting block sufficiently for a distance equal to the remainder of the distance between funnel crests.
 12. The liquid distributor of claim 8 in which the shifting block includes a pocket disposed to receive the nozzle when over the last funnel of the last-named series of funnels and dimensioned to provide movement of the nozzle with the shifting block for a distance equal to the remainder of the distance between the crests of said funnel.
 13. The liquid distributor of claim 12 and a control switch exposed in the pocket receiving the nozzle when over the last-named funnel of the last series, said control switch being normally closed and opened by the nozzle as it enters said last-named pocket.
 14. The liquid distributor of claim 8 in which there are three series of funnels, the shifting means includes a shifting block extending from the outer to the inner series of funnels and partly over the last funnels of the three series, the block includes a first channel extending from the last funnel of one series to the first channel of the intermediate series and a second channel extending from the last channel of the intermediate series to the first channel of the third series, the shifter has a slot through which the nozzle depends to be engaged by the block, the slot having first and second transfer portions each coextensive in length with the channels and a pocket at one end extending towards the leading edge of the block and over the path of the funnels of one series, the nozzle having its first position in the pocket, the other end of the first transfer portion and one end of the second transfer portion overlying the intermediate series of funnels, the slot having a channel interconnecting said ends that overlie the intermediate series, and the second transfer portion having its other end over the third series of funnels, and spring means bearing the nozzle towards said third series and operable whenever the nozzle is engaged and moved by the block.
 15. Container support for a liquid distributor having a turntable, said support comprising a rack provided with receivers for open mouth containers and arraNged in concentric series with the receivers of each series uniformly spaced apart, and a ring including abutting funnels arranged in concentric series, one series of funnels for each series of receivers and including a funnel to overlie each receiver thereof with a funnel portion depending for entry into the mouth of a container positioned therein to be supported thereby, said funnels abutting to define intermediate crests.
 16. A ring for a continuous flow liquid distributor of the type having a turntable provided with means to support open mouth containers in concentric series with the container of each series uniformly spaced apart, said distributor also having a nozzle movable from a position over the path of containers in one series of receivers into a position over containers in another series of receivers, said ring including funnels arranged in concentric series and including a funnel to overlie each container, said funnels abutting and providing intermediate crests, one funnel of each series being a crest common to the other series, the other crest of each series being common thereto whereby in use, said crests provide equal liquid delivery through the funnels of each series and between the funnels having the common crest when the nozzle is moved between said positions.
 17. A ring for a continuous flow liquid distributor of the type having a turntable provided with means to support open mouth containers in a pair of concentric series with the containers of each series uniformly spaced apart, said distributor also having a nozzle movable from a position over the path of containers in one series containers into a position over containers in another series containers, said ring including funnels arranged in concentric series, one series of funnels for each series of containers and including a funnel to overlie each container, said funnels abutting and providing intermediate crests, the corresponding crests of the series being radially aligned, and a member extending across from the outer to the inner series of funnels and including a channel for the nozzle extending from the last funnel of one series to the first funnel of another series and provided with a crest, said member partly covering said last and first funnels whereby, in use, said crests provide equal liquid delivery through the funnels of each series and between the said last and first funnels when the nozzle is moved between said positions.
 18. The ring of claim 17 in which there is a third concentric series of funnels and the member has a second channel parallel with the first channel with one end opening over the first funnel of the third series and its other end overlying the intermediate channel of the leading side of the first-named channel, and a channel interconnecting the overlapping channel ends and extending above the intermediate series of funnels. 